Five Killer Quora Answers To Wood Burning Fires

Wood Burning Fires Need to Be Hot and Clean

Wood burning fires are not only comforting and mesmerising, but they're a critical part of our health and well-being. They must be hot and clean in order to be effective.

Green, or unseasoned, wood is very moist that makes it challenging to ignite and burn effectively. Seasoned, or kiln dried wood has low moisture content and is more easy to light and burn for longer.

Efficient Combustion

The fire in the wood must be hot enough to snuff out moisture and reach temperatures of over 540 deg F. The process of producing heat in secondary combustion begins at 900 degrees F (in ideal conditions). This is the first step to efficiently burning fuel while reducing emissions and smoke in the flue.

It is crucial to remember that the temperature required for secondary combustion is dependent on the type of fuel and the conditions of the environment. Make sure to use firewood that is seasoned and has a less than 20% to minimize these variations.

In addition, the quantity of air that is pumped into a fire can significantly impact its heat output and time to burn. The more oxygen that is available, the faster the fire will burn. If the supply of air is insufficient a wood fire will produce less heat and burn at a lower rate.

A fireplace or wood stove insert that has an adjustable air damper will increase the time to burn and efficiency. The wide-open setting gives the fire all the oxygen it needs and quickly draw down the fuel supply. A fire that is contained within an area of limited size is less likely to spread.

A load of firewood that has been dried properly is essential for Wood burning fires efficient wood burning. Wood that is freshly cut and isn't dried will have a high water content, making it difficult to burn. For the best performance it is recommended that you only use seasoned wood that has been stored outdoors for six to nine months.

Another consideration is the BTU content of different kinds of wood. White pine and spruce could be more affordable than eastern hardwoods like shagbark, hickory and black locust, however their BTU values are greater. This means they'll generate more heat from the same amount of wood. This is the reason it's important to think about your heating needs and fuel costs when selecting your firewood.

Clean Burning

Wood smoke can trigger indoor air pollutants, which can irritate lungs and cause respiratory distress in seniors and children. These pollutants include volatile aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo-a-pyrene and formaldehyde as well as volatile organic compounds such as benzene. Volatile Tars (such as creosote) are also released when firewood is burned.

Smoke from old, poorly-designed fireplaces and wood stoves could contribute to poor outdoor air quality, making it harder to see and Wood burning fires contributing to photochemical smog. However, new, clean burning wood stoves and fireplaces that incorporate modern combustion technology when used correctly can drastically reduce the emissions.

Stage 1 - Vaporization Moisture: As the log warms, it releases water vapour, which escapes through the chimney flue. This takes more energy than when the log was dried prior to burning. This wastes energy which could be used to warm your home.

These vapors mix in the flue with carbon particles, resulting in smoke. Smoke is one of the main sources of particulate matter and smog that is found in the air.

Fireplaces and wood stoves that use clean burn technology, if properly used, can greatly reduce the risk of this by burning the logs to charcoal state that releases less volatile gases, as well as creating the majority of the energy contained in the log from usable heat.

Avoid using damp, sour or decayed wood to ignite your fire. It's harder to burn and produces more creosote. Don't overload the stove with soft and thin woods like pine or fir. They require more energy to burn and generate more smoke, which can cause chimney fires.

Use a bucket made of steel to scoop up ashes from the stove, and always wait for them to cool before handling them. Be sure to store or dispose of them correctly since ashes could ignite when exposed to water, and they pose a risk in landfills. Instead, ensure that you use them around your garden or at the house.

Properly conserving, securing and burning your wood correctly will save you money on fuel and keep your stove working efficiently. Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis is essential to eliminate creosote and particulates as well as other debris that has been deposited. This can also help prevent chimney fires as well as keep your chimney operating safely.

Safety

It's difficult to beat a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night However, precautions for safety should be taken. If fires are constructed incorrectly, left unattended or burned, dangerous fumes can enter the home. Creosote may also build up in the chimney. These deposits can block the flue, inhibit airflow, and cause your furnace or wood stove to run less efficiently.

Never burn painted or treated wood, household trash paper, rags, and other combustible materials in your wood-burning stove or fireplace. They produce noxious gases and may release toxic fumes, like carbon monoxide. Do not use liquids that are flammable as a starter. Kerosene, gasoline and lighter fluid can increase emissions, create toxic creosote and could cause chimney fires.

Keep combustibles such as furniture or curtains, as well as toys, at a safe distance away from your fireplace or stove. Don't hang clothes near your wood burning stoves small-burning fireplace. Children should be taught that the fireplace is hot and shouldn't be touched.

Only make use of seasoned wood for your fireplace or stove. The wood that is seasoned has been dried out over the summer months to lessen the amount of moisture. The wood that is damp produces more smoke and creosote, however, seasoned logs burn more efficiently and cleanly. The wood that is seasoned appears darker and has cracks in the end grain, and sounds hollow when tapped. Keep your logs outside, neatly stacking them with the top covered but permitting air circulation around them.

Be careful not to over-load your stove or fireplace as appliances that are overloaded produce more smoke and less heat. Overloaded fires can also generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. If you have an older appliance that has an insulated metal liner, check the liner on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that could cause an explosion in the chimney.

The EPA recommends using split, dry and well-seasoned wood to minimize smoke in your home. Create a fire by using small wood burning heater pieces. Avoid using soft woods like pine, which can be a good starting material to get your fire up and running but shouldn't be used for more than that. These softer woods contain sap and resin, indoor wood burner which when burned, create large amounts of creosote into the chimney.

Maintenance

Warming up in front of a fireplace with wood is a great way to enjoy the winter nights. But, it is essential to maintain your fireplace in order to ensure that you reap the maximum benefit from your fire. Regular inspections and cleaning of your fireplace will help you avoid any issues. This maintenance helps prevent excessive creosote accumulation and keeps the chimney clear to ensure maximum efficiency.

Creosote is a dark, crusty flammable material that forms in the flue when wood does not completely burn. If a significant amount of creosote is accumulated, it can cause chimney fires which are the second-leading cause of house fires in the United States. The failure of a fireplace to completely burn can be caused by a variety of causes, including improperly closed dampers, cracks in the liner of the chimney and the absence of regular cleaning and ash removal.

Creosote can build up excessively when wood isn't properly seasoned. Water can make up half of the weight of a wooden piece. The water boils during fire and releases heat. It also consumes energy. The water vapor resulting from the process is then condensed as creosote and released into the air as part of the smoke.

Soot is another harmful product of burning wood. Soot, though less dense than creosote, is able to block airflow and stick to walls. It is also a fire hazard because it easily ignites when exposed to gasses that ignite.

You should remove the ashes and store them in a metal ash container that you can keep outside on a non-flammable surface. Don't forget that the remains of the ashes are a good source of nutrients for your plants. Spread them around in your backyard!

Regularly make sure that your chimney and fireplace are checked by a Regency Dealer Certified. The technician can look for cracks, creosote levels, soot levels and a damper that is shut properly and the condition of the catalyst. If you have a double-stage fireplace with an air tube, you must have the catalyst removed and inspected visually for any blockages. Refer to your user manual for directions on how to do this for your specific unit.